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Tim glared at Christina. “I guess I get the floor.” “Quit being an ass and get a grip on yourself. There is no need for anyone to sleep on the floor. I’m sure we are mature enough to make the best of this rotten situation. I’m not going freak out if your leg touches mine. It’s not as if either of us is interested in anything other than sleep and keeping warm.” He stared at her. “Are you suggesting we share the bed?” Thirty-eight-year-old Christina Holmes is the office manager at Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Services. On the surface, she is a happy person that everyone likes, but in her heart, she carries pain. She has MRHK syndrome. Her marriage had deteriorated because of the rare congenital condition, and it ended in humiliation for her. The experience is a secret that Christina has not shared with anyone since she came to Swift Current. She has avoided intimate relationships, feeling less than a woman, and ashamed of the hand that nature dealt her. She has allowed her condition to define her, making her certain that no one will love her as she is. Forty-eight-year-old Tim Bates came to Swift Current four years ago, when Colt Thompson hired him to manage Cantaur Farm. Forsaken by his stepfamily, Tim was reeling from a contested family will, and an ugly divorce filed by his wife who had never truly loved him. He was bitter and angry, trusted no one and despised women. When he first arrived, Christina thought of Tim as a cold fish, and Tim saw Christina as an officious bitch. However, during the past four years the two of them have developed a comfortable relationship: but it isn’t the kind that comes with intimacy, or fringe benefits. When Tim Bates finds a picture on the old ranch hand’s desk at Belanger Creek Ranch, he is stunned. He reacts with suspicion that turns into feelings of betrayal and anger. The picture becomes the focus of a mystery that involves people at the ranch: people who have been friends for years. The answers could forever change the lives of those involved. Tim discovers that what he has always believed about his birth is not true. Shaken, he turns to Christina for friendship and support. Sometimes The Hand of Fate intervenes. Will it bring unexpected miracles into the lives of these two friends? This is a story of family ties, unconditional love, loyalty, powerful friendships, sacrifice, mystery and the realization of dreams that seem impossible. This can be read as a stand-alone book in the Belanger Creek Ranch Series. The lives of Colt and Frank Thompson (The Second Time Around, Book One) and Shauna Lee and Brad Johnson (Full Circle, Book Two) intertwine with those of Tim Bates and Christina Holmes in this work of fiction.

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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Gloria Antypowich grew up on a farm and most of her married life has been lived on a ranch. Human relationships fascinate her. Ideas for stories can be found everywhere; overheard conversations in a public place, a couple fighting in a restaurant, a story in the news, even a chance remark in a conversation with a friend. She is enamored with the power of words and she loves to use them to paint images of characters that become so real, they feel like they could be your next door neighbor. Gloria is an avid reader of several different genres and listens to a wide selection of music. A good game of cards, sharing a laugh with a friend over a glass of wine and spending time with her family are a few of her favorite things to do. She loves to write and says her husband was her inspiration for the heroes in this series of books. He was a cowboy, a rancher—and a lover. Gloria lives with her husband, in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada. They are retired now, but they still have “chemistry”.

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This third installment of the Belanger Ranch Creek series is one that will touch the readers' heart. Many of the characters I have begun to feel I know are back. But if you haven't read any others of this series, you won't be lost. The author has done an amazing job in that aspect. however you will be glad if you do grab the others. In the hand of fate, Christina Holmes and Tim Bates end up getting married and find out past secrets and future dreams can all be worked out with love and patience. The author did a fantastic job with the medical aspects of this book and her research paid off with not only a believable story but one that readers will find touching. I have found Gloria Antypowich to be a delightful author who not only writes a great romance story but adds in touches of suspense and a lot of surprises readers are going to find fascinating. I find the relationships between the authors' characters, whether in friendship or hatred are incredibly life like. All in all, I believe readers are going to love their time at Belanger Ranch.

Phew! What a roller coaster ride. Though The Hand of Fate is book 3 in the Belanger Ranch Creek series, it is the last for me to read. I already know what happens in book 4 because I read it first not realizing it was a series, but no spoilers from this reader. However, once I finished reading book 4, I knew I had to buy and read the other 3 books, which I did. Though each book can be read as a standalone without too much fuss, I suggest you read them all – you won’t be disappointed.

Christina is a strong and independent woman. Or is she? She takes a job as an office manager at Swift Current Accounting and Bookkeeping Services, but keeps her past to herself - a past that includes a heartbreaking divorce from her ex-husband because she had the MRHK genetics disorder. Since then she does not allow anyone to get too close to protect herself from heartbreak.

Tim has issues of his own, starting with rejection from his step-family.

Hers and Tim’s past bring their friendship to the next level and then the next until they learn that with love, family, and good friends, who support you at every turn, you can have it all.

Same as with the other books in the series, Gloria Antypowich brought some new characters - Grayson, Sarah, and Taylor and masterfully wove their lives with those of the old ones Frank, Colt,. Shauna Lee, Ellie Brad, etc.

A fascinating contemporary romance series with charming plots and vibrant characters, set against the serene and enchanting background of a beautiful ranch. The mystery factor will have you turn pages.

This is the third book in a series that I absolutely adore . This story revolves around Tim and Christina . They are the best of friends but there is something deeper between them . The secrets that each of them harbor will take their relationship from friends to the love that defies all. They have the Thompson family 's support , they are family to them . The help comes in so many different ways . As the family supports and helps them in every way possible . They show how much family means and what a family is willing to do to help out their own .

The whole crew is back in this book, the main characters Tim and Christina are such complex characters . Christina is the sweetest woman that you can ever imagine. She is loving and kind, loves children. But she can't have any due to MRKH syndrome which means that she can't have children.. She is also so strong and doesn't let anyone or anything stand in her way . Not even her pig headed best friend Tim . He has some issues but when he realizes that he has loved Christina , he is in whole hearted and will do anything for his Christina .

They also work through the mystery of the picture and what it means . They also have help from the rest of the farm family . Even the biggest surprise of all, well there are actually two surprises . I am not going to tell you what they are . You will have to read the book to find out . But they are awesome . The whole crew is back Colt , Frank. Shaun lee , Brad and Ollie and Ellie. We also meet a couple of new characters Sarah , Taylor and Grayson . Trust me you will fall in love with all these characters.

This book had me in tears in so many spots, the author gave us such a loving and emotional story . I think I cried more in this book because of the reaction to Christina not having children . It hit a soft spot with me, and I related to her sooo much . The author did a great job in researching both the medical and emotional aspects of MRKH syndrome. The research paid off big time, you find yourself reading a emotional love story between two people , that will over come anything and everything .

I love this author and he style of no nonsense writing . I also love the fact that she is writing about a province that I love and know about . She takes us on a ride through south western Saskatchewan . She paints a great picture of ranching and farming life with a close knit family of people that aren't related by blood but by the heart and love. So if you want a sweet series about friends and family that will do anything to help each other out . Throw in romance and love these are the books for you . This can be read as a stand alone but I suggest you read the whole series and get to know the whole gang .

The author’s descriptions about the lives and work of the characters transported me to the ranch where most of the action takes place. The characters are so vibrant and life-like that I found myself rooting for them throughout.The main protagonists Christina and Tim are friends and maybe something more. No spoilers here but suffice to say they both have their problems and are supported by friends and colleagues so close they are family in everything but blood.I felt that the underlying themes in ‘The Hand of Fate’ were hope and friendship, though it has plenty of other messages weaved through the pages.If you enjoy stories about love and friendship, relationships and family, with a plot that will keep you turning the pages, you’ll love this book.Highly recommended.